More mama pad questions

[Undercover Hippie]

I need help figuring out what pads to order through the co-op! I know I'm not the only one.

I've never done postpartum cloth before. My current cloth pad stash is used to back up my diva cup, for occasional daytime or nighttime use if I'm not getting along with my cup at that moment , for spotting at the end of AF, and for everyday sweating and discharge. I have:

3 liners 6-7"
6 pads 8"
4 pads 9"

So I think I'm going to order some more liners, maybe the 6" minis. Can never have too many liners LOL.

Then obviously I need some big pads for postpartum... maybe 4 of the 14" ones and 3 of the 12" ones? Would that get me through a day in that first week postpartum? I want to have enough but I also want to get things I will use later for AF... I think I will use the 12" ones later but not so sure about the 14" ones.

I guess I will also have preemie PFs or disposable pads on hand for back-up, this decision is not exactly life or death! And I will be spending time each day sitting on chux pads letting myself "air out" so that is a few hours with no pad each day.

[Hezzy]

:

I've never used cloth and have no idea what I'd need, but I want to try it!

[GooeyDay]

I've also never used cloth and would love some advice as to how many pads tare needed to get through a postpartum day...

Back when I wore pads, I used Always Ultra-Thin with Wings in the "Spade" size. If anyone knows of a counterpart.

Thanks
~* Laura

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by Hezzy

:

I've never used cloth and have no idea what I'd need, but I want to try it!

:

i actually almost sent an email to the list late last night asking if some of you would mind sharing what you plan on getting, to give some of us first-timer a sense of what we need. cos i seriously have no clue!

[yogachick79]

Totally curious what others will say too. I've never used cloth before but am REALLY excited to have them on hand this time around.

I am leaning towards the 14 inch as my main PP pads (and then overnight pads once AF returns) just from feedback from several girlfriends who know my size and have used similar sized pads before. Besides that, I am thinking about getting some 12 and 11 inch too just for as things taper off and when I have lighter AF days.

I AM going to request no PUL, and probably for hemp because it is so absorbant. Not a fan of PUL because I want lots of air circulation which is why I am adding the extra absorbancy. So that is something to consider if you haven't already.

Snaps will be a must for me, as I like winged pads. Esp if you don't want to accidentally drop one in the toilet when you go to the bathroom

[Benji'sMom]

Since the ones you already have are shorter length, I agree that you'd probably never use the 14" for regular AF so buying some 14 & some 12 makes since. (OTOH I really like really really long pads at night even for regular AF, like 14-16" even though I can wear a 9" pad during the day.)

[pixiesmommy]

I'm tight on cash, but I was thinking I would get 3 of the 14" and 3 of the 11"- both with wings so they stay put better. I've never done cloth before, but they *HAVE* to be more comfy that other PP pads or depends.
I figure I'll be washing cloth dipes all the time and throw them in with those, and if I don't have enough, I'll either air myself out or wear a sposie pad (got some organic ones from Whole Foods last time we were there.)

Manda

[yogachick79]

Manda, you can always cut up some prefolds to use too while your "good" ones are in the wash

[Hezzy]

I'm not a big pad wearer in general, so I'm thinking these will really be just for Post Partum, unless I fall in love. Does 2 - 17" and 3 - 14" sound reasonable for the heavy pp period? I could use organic disposables while they wash, and I may switch to disposable liners for when it gets light.

How far will those 5 pads take me?

ETA: Sorry if I'm hijiking - I hope my question helps the OP and others!

[monocyte]

I'm trying to decide what I am doing also!!

Here's my waaaayyyy TMI story.

I tend to leak in odd places (must be the shape of my butt crack): That's what first turned me onto cloth - I was putting 2 overlapping pads on to go to bed, with a tampon...and I'd wake to a bloody mess.

I usually wear my 14 inch ones to bed, but, I'm really thinking I need longer, and wider at the ends for pp (diff kind of bleed, I remember it with DS as a more watery...kwim?) I will probably end up getting some king sizes ones.

I also have 12 inch ones that are great for me during the day, and some 8/9 inch ones that are good for the very end. But, a gf of mine can wear the 8/9 inch ones day and night without an issue.

With the mc's I had, I had to use the bigger ones all.the.time.

I really like the ones we are doing the coop with because the have stood up at least 2 years of abuse.

I'm just not sure how many I am going to get - probably at least 5 of the big ones...I need to find a recent pp mama to find out suggestions myself!

[brooklyn_warbler]

bumping this, since the deadline is tomorrow.

if anyone else wants to share what they plan on ordering, i'm sure othere newbies like me would be most grateful! i'm still not quite sure what to go with.

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by monocyte

I'm just not sure how many I am going to get - probably at least 5 of the big ones...I need to find a recent pp mama to find out suggestions myself!

did you ever find someone to ask? i'm curious about quantity as well.

[Mahre]

I ordered some from greenmountaindiapers.com.

I have no experience with them, but am interested and just ordered them when I ordered my newborn diapers. Is there a better place to order them?

[LittleBrownDog]

I just posted in the August DDC to see if anyone there had advice- I figured it would still be fresh in their minds

For AF I use the 14" ones (I think? The hourglass shaped ones) for overnight and the ones that are wide at one end (12"?) for my heaviest day. I use the 10" for the rest of the time. I have the felt backed/flannel topped ones with snapped wings. I think I'll probably just get a few 15 & 17" for the first PP days.

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by LittleBrownDog

I just posted in the August DDC to see if anyone there had advice- I figured it would still be fresh in their minds

For AF I use the 14" ones (I think? The hourglass shaped ones) for overnight and the ones that are wide at one end (12"?) for my heaviest day. I use the 10" for the rest of the time. I have the felt backed/flannel topped ones with snapped wings. I think I'll probably just get a few 15 & 17" for the first PP days.

cool, leigh! hopefully you'll get a few responses.

[brooklyn_warbler]

also: what is everyone's opinion on the pul? a good point was raised about the breath-ability, but i'm not sure.

[Kontessa]

I do not like PUL on my son so I am thinking I would not like it on me either..... soooooo

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by Kontessa

I do not like PUL on my son so I am thinking I would not like it on me either..... soooooo

would you put it an extra layer of hemp instead?

[scheelimama]

I'm not sure how much cloth I'll use in the immediate pp period (as in the first 2-3 heaviest days), but I will return to my regular cloth after that. I was able to get away with Always Overnight, changing every few hours, and then my regular 8 in. cloth pads after the first 2 days last time. I hate huge bulky cloth pads! The biggest I would probably use is 12 in., maybe 14 in. I'd certainly never use the largest size that is being sold. And I also don't like PUL. If I recall, her pads are all backed with fleece, which is perfect for keeping leaks at bay. Mine all work just fine without a layer of PUL. So, that's my 2 cents. HTH!

[GooeyDay]

So glad to hear from more posters... I am still putting together my last minute order.

~* I spoke with a few other women, who both indicated a need for 6-10 pads per day. Postpartum pads (thicker/longer) are recommended for the first three days after birth, regular flow should do after that... *~

Personally, I have no cloth stash! The prices and choices in the co-op really seem to be good, so I want to take the opportunity to complete a stash while I order. I have been wanting to get a diva cup for a while, however, and I think I will primarily use that later on...

SO... Right now I am thinking of ordering 8 - 14" postpartums, 8 - 8/9" (which should be my "normal" size), and 4 - 6" minis (for use with the diva cup). All have wings, and I am doing some of the velour. My total is about $105. That's a big ol chunk of money, but I do think it is a good deal... And if I end up not wanting to use them in the future, I think the resale value on the TP should be good.

I was worried that without the PUL, the pads would leak, but I also hate synthetics... I am so torn as to which way to go with that! :

~* Laura